Before We Rush Off...

We are in the Christmas season and it feels like we are “off to the races”… the finishing of various tasks and meetings and gatherings that close out the year. And with Thanksgiving a week later, it has made me feel like I’ve lost a week somewhere in there.
 
In spite of the rush of the season, I have thought about what we just finished as a church: we have finished studying the Book of Ephesians! And it feels like it could be amiss to just move on without at least reflecting on a couple of significant take aways from Ephesians. After all, we just summited one of the most profound books of the Bible!
 
Here is a list of a few curated lists from our study in Ephesians:
What God has done for me as a Christian:

• Blessed me with every spiritual blessing
• He chose me
• He made me holy and blameless
• He predestined me
• He’s united us in Christ
• He adopted me as His son
• He is pleased – He enjoys – choosing and adopting me!
• He lavished (richly poured out) His grace on me
• He redeemed me
• He forgave me
• He made known to me His work
• I have inherited His riches
• He sealed me by His Holy Spirit

Who I am in Christ:

• I am alive in Christ
• I am a saint
• I am His workmanship
• I am created by Him
• I have been brought near to Him
• I have peace
• I have access to the Father
• I am not a foreigner or stranger but a citizen
• I am a member of His household
• I am a prisoner of Christ
• I am a coheir and member of the body
• I am a partner in the promise
• I am a servant of the Gospel
• I have access and boldness to Him

Ten Praises unto the Lord for His work from chapter 1:3-14: 1.  We praise God because He blessed us with every spiritual blessing (3)
2.  We praise Him because He chose us (4)
3.  We praise God because He adopted us (5–6)
4.  We praise God because He redeemed us (7)
5.  We praise God because He forgave us (7)
6.  We praise God because He lavished His grace upon us (7–8)
7.  We praise God because He made known the mystery of His will to us (8–10)
8.  We praise God because He provided an eternal inheritance for us (10–12)
9.  We praise God because He sealed us by the Spirit (13)
10. We praise God because He guaranteed our inheritance (14)
 
Such profound reminders for each of us who are “in Christ”! These blessings are now yours – right now! So let’s just stop for a moment and give thanks! This changes how we now live. …And it’s good.
 
 
Held By His Abundant Grace,

Pastor John